U.S. Census

As of April 2010, there were 40.3 million people age 65, a rise of about 15 percent from 2000. In contrast, the nation as a whole grew by 9.7 percent. That is a change from the decade before, when the nation grew faster than the elderly population.

The fastest growing group was those ages 65 to 69, up by a third from 2000. That group will expand even more rapidly in the decade to come, starting in 2011, as baby boomers begin to turn 65.

The Northeast had the largest percentage of people 65 and older, at 14 percent, but the fastest growing older population was in the West, up by 23 percent over the decade. The states with the top increases were Alaska, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona.

Legislative Links

Federal Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act (OAA) was established in 1965 with the goal of providing health and human services for Americans, particularly as they grow older, and is scheduled to be reauthorized this year. And just in the nick of time: the U.S. expects an unprecedented wave of growth in the over 65 population.

The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) provides an opportunity for Congress to ensure the Aging Network in the U.S. meets the needs of an ever-expanding population of older Americans and their caregivers.

The national Aging Network, which is comprised of the Administration on Aging (AOA), State Offices on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging, was established by the act to ensure Americans have access to community-based programs and a continuity of care so they may maintain their independence.

The Act contains the following sections:

Title I: Declaration of Objectives

Title I is the section of the Older Americans Act that explains the objective and goals of the law as it relates to adequate income in retirement, good physical and mental health, opportunity for employment and comprehensive long-term care services for older Americans.

Title II: Establishment of the AoA

Title II establishes the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the chief federal agency for older Americans and sets forth the responsibilities of the AoA and Assistant Secretary for Aging. Title II requires AoA to create the National Eldercare Locator Service to provide nationwide information through a toll free number so users can identify community resources for older citizens. It also establishes national resource centers for long-term care services and abuse prevention activities.

Title III: Grants for Programs on Aging

Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging

Title III grants support the activities of 56 state agencies on aging and 655 Area Agencies on Aging, which may be nonprofit or public agencies. These agencies, including the 59 New York State Agencies on Aging, act as advocates on behalf of and coordinates social service programs for older citizens. Title III authorizes funds for nutrition services, family caregiver support programs and disease prevention and health promotion activities.

Title IV

Activities for Health, Independence and Longevity

Title IV provides authority for training, research and demonstration projects in the field of aging. Funds are to be used to expand knowledge about aging and to test innovative ideas on services and programs. Also in included in this initiative are grants to help states use home and community-based services funds to identify people at the highest risk of nursing home placement and help them remain at home in their community setting.

Title V

Community Service Senior Opportunities Act

Title V provides part-time jobs for unemployed low-income people age 55 and older who have poor employment prospects. The Department of Labor contract is with states and national organizations that recruit and enroll workers who are then placed in community services jobs in, for example, hospitals, schools and senior nutrition sites.

Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities

Title VII authorizes the long-term care ombudsman program to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The purpose of the program is to appoint an evaluator (ombudsman) to investigate and resolve complaints of residents of nursing facilities, board and care facilities, and other adult care homes. Other functions to be carried out by ombudsman include representing the interests of residents before governmental agencies and seeking administrative and legal remedies to protect their rights.

Under this program, states are required to carry out activities to make the public aware of ways to identify and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation and to coordinate activities of Area Agencies on Aging with state adult protective services programs.